Pune: Fraud Allegations Surface Against Two IT Companies In Hinjawadi & Bhugaon; Here's All You Need To Know

Pune: Former employees of two IT companies in Pune's Hinjawadi and Bhugaon have alleged fraud worth crores by the companies. These companies allegedly asked candidates to pay money in the range of Rs 1 to Rs 1.5 lakh in the promise of stipends, jobs and projects worth more than Rs 4 lakh per annum (LPA). However, once the training period was completed, the employees were either fired or they were not given their money.

The first company against whom these allegations have surfaced is Flynaut SaaS Pvt Ltd, based in Hinjawadi.

'Around 500 people like me have been duped'

One of the former employees, an engineering graduate, told The Free Press Journal, "My friend previously worked there and he was given salaries on time. That’s why I joined. I paid Rs 1.40 lakh to the company in February 2025. I got Rs 15,000 stipend for two months. However, they promised me a Rs 4 LPA project or job. They asked me to give an internal exam, which I cleared. When we demanded the money, they threatened to track our location and claimed to have our IP addresses. The company’s CEO and others are unreachable; we cannot reach them. Around 500 people like me have been duped by the company."

According to the employee’s claim, the company has easily taken more than Rs 5 crore in total and has duped 500 people. The employee also said they had been promised PF, salary slips, Form 16, an offer letter and a joining letter. However, when FPJ tried to contact the CEO Upesh Patil, he chose not to respond.

The second company in Bhugaon, against whom allegations are made, is called Data Tech Labs.

'I went to Bavdhan Police Station, but no case has been registered yet'

A former employee told FPJ, "I was hired in September 2024. They made me work for two months and gave me a stipend. I gave Rs 1.30 lakh to the company, but I didn’t get the promised job or projects. In the offer letter, they had claimed to give me a job. I went to Bavdhan Police Station, but no case has been registered yet. The company is fraudulent. They never give money on time. Around 30-40 people are in my contact regarding this. Whenever we demand money, they threaten action and have served notices demanding Rs 1 crore too. They claimed losses and tough financial conditions, too, but didn’t give us any salary."

'Those employees were problematic'

Speaking to FPJ, Amit Andre, CEO of Data Tech Labs, said, "The accusations are false. I have filed a police complaint, sent them notices. We will clear our side in the labour court. If they are right, they should go to the labour court. We have solved everyone’s problems, but some problems we couldn’t solve because those employees were problematic. They entered the company through the wrong means." He also alleged political pressure and said murder threats were received by him and his company employees, but he refrained from taking action to save the careers of these young people.

'Don’t get into a scam of paid placements'

Forum of IT Employees (FITE) has received complaints in this regard. It said, "Don’t get into a scam of paid placements. Whenever you pay a big amount or join any company, check its history, reviews, and financial conditions through relevant sources. Closing a company without any salary given is not a worker conflict but fraud, and a crime must be registered accordingly."

'We have filed a complaint with the Labour Commissioner'

Pavanjit Mane, Chairman of FITE, told FPJ, "We received reports of the two companies, one from Bhugaon and the other from Hinjawadi. We have filed a complaint with the Labour Commissioner. This is wrong. In a city like Pune, this shouldn’t happen."

'We will investigate all the documents'

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Vishal Gaikwad told FPJ, "We will verify everything. We will investigate all the documents. If everything is confirmed, we will register a case of fraud. Then we will inquire and investigate with the company representatives. If everything is proven, we will take the required action."

IT professionals have said that an area like Pune, which houses well-known IT hubs such as Hinjawadi and Kharadi, still faces a big problem of unemployment. Experts say that growing unemployment is the reason for such scams exist, and innocent people are getting duped.